David Creed shares his journey in the Alberta FCSS Storybook for 2015. "The Caregiver Motto is to take care of yourself first so you are more able to take care of someone else. I thought I was doing that, but my health gave out and my wife passed away. I can now see the stress I was under. Looking after someone is stressful because you are responsible, always looking out for someone else's needs. It is so important to identify stress and eliminate it. I was not getting sleep and this and other things caused health issues, exhaustion and burn out. I have learned how to control my thoughts and feelings and take responsibility for every part of my life. I began training my body to sleep again, disciplining my mind and totally living in the now. Depression is living in the past and anxiety is living in the future. It is a process, a journey and not something you can do all at once. You have a goal in mind and work towards it. Having the support group really made a difference! Hopefully, what I have learned may help someone else."

David has come a long way since joining the Caregiver Support Group. He states he has strengthened his coping skills, his self-awareness, and increased his overall mental, emotional, social, spiritual and physical health and well-being. David now contributes by sharing his skills, knowledge and experiences with others.